New at the Farmers Market! - Starting this Thursday at Chi-Bro

New signage for the Farmers' Market has popped up at Chi-Bro Park.

Nikki Flynn, a Saline native and a graduate of Oakland University, is studying for a master's degree at University of Michigan and will be this year's Market Manager.

It's back, and it's better than ever!

Manchester Farmers Market, now in its third summer at Chi-Bro Park, has a new face, new activities, and is offering fresh ideas along with fresh produce weekly from this Thursday until late October.

There are a number of new features at the Farmers Market this year, including the addition of Nikki Flynn as the market manager. Nikki, a Saline native, has just finished her first year of graduate study at the University of Michigan School of Public Health concentrating in Nutritional Sciences. When she graduates, she hopes to become a registered dietician, and work in community health or with athletes.

Nikki says, "I attended Oakland University for undergrad and earned my B.S. in Health Sciences. I was also a 4-year varsity member of the Oakland swim team, finding my passion for food and sports performance and food education. I am thrilled be a part of the Manchester community, and I look forward to sharing my love of delicious, healthful foods as part of a healthy lifestyle through the Manchester Farmers Market."

One of the big new activities for this summer is the Kids Activity Tent, hosted by Anna Jones, which starts June 15 and continues through August. It will include a myriad of activities for kids, focusing on eating better, moving more, and decreasing screen time. Kiwanis of Manchester funded half of this project from the 2017 Crazy Cash Night.

Another special kids' activity this summer will be a Kids Biz Day in August! Kids can make things over the summer and sell them at the market--just $1 to have a table and make a bit of money; just in time for back to school!

This summer the Farmers Market will accept SNAP and "double up" food bucks. Patrons of the CRC food pantry can get $10 per week in wooden nickels to spend at the market. In addition, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital has a program for senior citizens to get produce at the market. Details are forthcoming!

Did you get your post card in the mail? The entire 48158 ZIP code was delivered a card with a complete list of events and a coupon for a free shopping bag. Stop in at the market this week; get your bag and use it all summer long!

During fair week, the Farmers Market will move to the fairgrounds for greater exposure, and during the Sesquicentennial celebration they will be found at Wurster Park in conjunction with the Emanuel Ice Cream Social and a special Gazebo Concert.

On August 27, the Farm to Table dinner will be held in Grass Lake, and tickets will be available starting in mid-June. Sponsors, volunteers, and of course, diners are being sought--last year's event raised more than $10,000 to help run the market in all of the 5 Healthy Towns.

There's something for everyone at the Manchester Farmers Market this summer--stop in and see what is there for YOU!

For as little as $1 a month, you can keep Manchester-focused news coverage alive.

by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.